DJO Global Introduces a Lightweight Knee Brace

DJO Global Inc. has released the OA (osteoarthritis) Nano, touting it as the lightest knee brace on the market at 14.2 ounces. According to the company, this lighter knee brace should reduce or, for some, even eliminate the need for eventual knee replacement surgery.

The brace is intended for those who suffer from light to moderate osteoarthritis. It is sold under DJO’s DonJoy brand, alongside other knee braces such as the Defiance line and braces for other joints.

“Knee pain is very common and affects the lives of millions of Americans each year,” said Neil Roth, M.D., of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “If left untreated, osteoarthritis will worsen over time, as a progressive degenerative disease that is a leading cause of chronic disability. Unfortunately, many Americans who experience knee pain do not treat the symptoms properly or early enough. There are many non-operative modalities, like bracing, that can be utilized prior to more invasive treatments and that have proven highly effective for many patients.”

A Wakefield Research/DonJoy survey of 1,000 Americans over the age of 40 revealed that 73 percent had experienced knee pain in the last year. Surprisingly, nearly eight out of 10 Americans who don’t experience knee pain wrongly assume they will never experience it. According to the National Arthritis Foundation, one in two people may develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The survey also found that more than half the participants ignored the pain, thinking it was no “big deal.”

“Increasingly, physicians and surgeons are advocating for a conservative care treatment regimen that preserves joints and helps patients avoid or stave off more expensive, addictive or riskier treatments,” said Mike Mogul, president and CEO of DJO Global. “Noninvasive, non-addictive treatment options, such as knee bracing, can empower patients to proactively take control of their osteoarthritis without the cost, recovery time or potential for adverse events associated with surgical procedures or narcotic pain management. OA Nano is based on the advanced knee brace technology that professional athletes have used for years and helps patients reduce pain, increase stability and maintain their desired activity levels.”

The OA Nano is manufactured with a metal that DJO claims is as light as magnesium, while retaining the strength of aircraft-grade aluminum. The metal is called TTMP and is manufactured by nanoMAG, a Thixomat company based in Livonia, Mich.

“In addition to the weight and aesthetics, my patients cite the comfort of the brace as one of the most important factors in whether or not they will comply with my treatment recommendations and use osteoarthritis braces consistently,” said Joseph Hellmann, M.D., of OMNI Orthopedics in Canton, Ohio. “In the growing movement of conservative care, compliance is one of the most important factors that can enable patients to successfully preserve their knee joints and maintain mobility. Given that the National Arthritis Foundation granted the OA Nano its Ease of Use commendation, I can be assured that my patients will actually be able to put on the brace.”

Mogul addressed factors brought up in the survey that affected participants’ choice of a brace: comfort, decreased pain, lightness, and stability. “DJO Global’s research and development team designed OA Nano to address all of these factors, and we are excited to help the growing segment of Americans with osteoarthritis return to their active lives,” he said. “And with obesity levels rising rapidly, more Americans than ever can expect to develop OA in their lifetimes, which will only fuel more demand for more options on the conservative care spectrum.”

DJO Global is a global developer, manufacturer and distributor of medical devices that provide solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management. The company is headquartered in Vista, Calif.